Phosphate Sponges

[scunfcu]

I will be doing sps tank, is it necessary to add some kind of phosphate remover? I'm using New York City tap water instead of Ri/Ro. Usin Prime to conditioner the water before mixing salt.

[Dunky019]

I would use Ro/di.. you don't even need to have the filter (although it might benefit in the long-run). I just go to the local waterworks and fill up those 5g jugs. For phosphate remover, I use rowaphos, I've seen good results with that.

[scunfcu]

thanks, but do you think sps definitely needs to have low or zero phosphate to do well?

[nismo driver]

from what i understnad in simple terms phosphate molecules block calcification process, this is what hardcorals use to grow along with coraline algea.

i also hear regularly that phosphate is one of the factors to having brown or less then appealing coloration.

so yes it is in you and your corals best interest o have very low phosphates either by using a media like a chemical sponge or growing macro algae.

also as stated one of the best ways to have low phosphates is to use good quality water. flake foods can be a source of phosphates as well.